Saint Vincent College

Student Assistance Program (SAP)

 

The Student Assistance Program is mandated in Pennsylvania by Act 211 of 1990.  It is a formal, consistent, and systematic approach to assist school personnel to identify issues that pose a barrier to a student’s learning and school success.  The members of the Student Assistance Team are the principal, vice principal, guidance counselor, and faculty members of the school who have received special training through the Saint. Vincent College Prevention Projects.

 

This program assists the parent and student with information so they may access appropriate services, as well as supporting the student at school.  SAP is an intervention, not a treatment program that integrates a process of information gathering, intervention, and referral through a core team.  It is designed to help students succeed in school and overcome barriers to learning.

 

Referrals for the program are made by a faculty member, parent or student.  Once a referral is received by the team, the child’s teachers are asked to complete a form, which helps identify the issues.  The team then makes informed assumptions as to what is needed to help the student, conveys this information to the school administration, guidance counselor, classroom teachers, and parent/guardian.  If necessary after consultation with parent/guardian, referrals are made to outside agencies.

 

Team members maintain all information regarding students and their families under safeguard of privacy and confidentiality.  Access is limited to those who have a legitimate educational interest.

Occasionally, a student says or writes something that raises a concern about suicide or harming someone.  Each instance is taken seriously.  The case is referred immediately to the school principal and guidance counselor.  They in turn will do an immediate assessment, and a parent/guardian is asked to come to school.  If the assessment indicates any possibility of concern, parents are asked to follow up with a formal evaluation in accordance with diocesan policy.

 

Three Groups

 

At Aquinas Academy, our team is broken into three groups:

 

V  Early Childhood Assistance Program (ECAP)

o    Includes pre-school through second grade.

V  Elementary Student Assistance Team (ESAP)

o    Includes third through fifth grades.

V  Middle School Student Assistance Team (MSAP)

o    Includes sixth through eighth grades.

o    In MSAP, there are three divisions: 6MSAP, 7MSAP, and 8MSAP. 

 

The breakdown into several teams allows us to meet the needs of the students in a timely manner.  We are able to do this because more than twenty members of our faculty are trained.  The administration and guidance councilor are members of each team.